Newsmakers: Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan

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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Last November, Nancy Vaughan became mayor-elect of Greensboro with a 19 percentage point victory. It marked the third straight time Greensboro voters sent an incumbent mayor home after just one term. Recently, she spoke with Neill McNeill as part of his “Newsmakers” segment. Here are some of her comments on several current issues/happenings:

On her biggest surprise

“Well, I would have to say the city manager resigning (laughter). That was probably the most un-anticipated thing. It was a wonderful opportunity for her. But it’s put us into a bit of flux at the moment.”

Her feelings on Boeing decision

“You know, I think everybody knew it was a long shot. (But) there was a lot of buzz around that. And I think the important thing is we are now on the radar. People know we can handle a big new employer like that.”

On the three new hotels planned for downtown

“I’m not confident that all three will get built. You know, possibly one or two.”

On hotel tax revenue, parking and ticket sales paying the city's part of Performing Arts Center

“I think we found a good way to finance it with user fees so that it’s not on the backs of taxpayers. Now that doesn’t say that there won’t be a year that there might be some cost overruns and that would have to be absorbed by the taxpayers. But it would be a small amount compared to the whole project.”

5 comments

FaithC

“Now that doesn’t say that there won’t be a year that there might be some cost overruns and that would have to be absorbed by the taxpayers.”

Where are they going to get this money from the tax payers? Are they raising taxes? With all the ills Greensboro has do they need a performing Arts Center. How about working on their huge homeless and crime problem.
Well at least the preforming arts centers will bring in a whole group of people who can be robed in the parking lots. So I guess it helps someone.

Biceps

I’m surprised that there’s no accompanying comment about the sorry job the previous mayor did;;; his sorry example should tell Greensboro residents that person’s personal life and habits and financial status is indeed a very good barometer of what to look for in the person’s service or disservice to his communtiy. In that regard, Greensboro failled to pick up on some very good indicators;;and further the media and press did not serve the voting public very well.;;; And while we’re at it, the same thing has happened in Greensboro’s sister city to the west, High Point;;;where you have a Mayor that’s been convicted of check kiting and some very irresponsible dealings in the handling of a relative’s estate to her own agrandisement;;;and all she does it flouts the residents ire and dissaproval by giving them in essense the middle finger. I just wonder if the residents of High Point will send their shameless mayor packing soon as well. And again, you have the media doing it’s similar poor job in not calling for action by the legal authorities and in other ways condoning that mayor’s shameful performance.

FaithC

The reason there no comments is because people do not care, they blindly vote, (if they vote), and then take no further interest in their city officials or their actions.
When they see they will have to pay more taxes or they lose services, then they complain.

People may think an arts center will be a way to bring money into the city. It will, maybe to the downtown area, but it will do nothing to deal with the huge homeless and crime problem they have in Greensboro.